St Albans Woodland Burial Trust
St Albans Woodland Burial Trust (Registered Charity No. 1118216)
Administrator: Mrs Linda Parry, c/o St Mark’s Church Community Centre
Tel/Fax +44 1234 342613 Email: office@woodlandburialtrust.com
Outside office hours or emergency contact 07922 053740 or 07973 113861
Set in beautiful countryside in Keysoe, Bedfordshire and surrounded by 60 acres of woodland.
Access to the woodland is through the College Equestrian Centre, Church Road, Keysoe, Bedford. MK44 2JP
If you are considering woodland burial then you really do need to think carefully about where you choose. St Albans Woodland Burial Trust is one of only two sites in the country which have the greatest protection against future alternative use. Since our burial ground has consecrated status, it can only be changed by Act of Parliament. Consecration provides the greatest protection that can be afforded in English law. St Albans Woodland Burial Trust is a non-profit making charity, established to offer woodland burial to all people without discrimination of any kind. Our woodland is consecrated and falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of St Albans. You can be assured that this will always remain a special place, sacred to the memory of those who rest in peace. The Trust is a non-profit making charity, all of our Trustees are committed to providing everybody with the opportunity of woodland burial, enabling an environmentally friendly alternative to commercial cemeteries and crematoria.
What makes St Albans Woodland Burial Trust special ?
- The woodland is guaranteed and protected for all time, one of only 2 in the UK with consecrated status
- Open to people of all faiths or none
- For burial and interment of ashes
- Seeking at all times to meet your wishes
- A charity not run for profit, reflected in our costs
- Available for services all day everyday to suit your needs
- Environmentally friendly burial
Our second Open Day in June 2008 was an astonishing success attracting visitors from across the region. Many people commented on how beautiful the woodland was. We were pleased that lots of people took the opportunity to reserve burial plots and even those who would prefer cremation have asked for plots for the burial of ashes. Thank you to everybody who came, please remember that the woodland is open to visitors and we welcome people to come and visit. Remember we also welcome dogs and there are over 60 acres of planted woodland and open countryside to enjoy.
Online Donations If you would like to make a donation towards the St Albans Woodland Burial Trust, please visit Charity Choice in association with the Co-operative Bank
Friends If you would like to become a Friend of St Albans Woodland Burial Trust please visit our Friends Page
Why consecration ?
We welcome people from all cultures and faith communities or those seeking secular or civil ceremonies. We simply ask that any service be dignified and respectful.
Our woodland is however one of only two consecrated woodland burial grounds in the country. This gives us the greatest protection available in English law and ensures that the woodland cannot be built upon, or subsequently used for another unsuitable purpose. At one time all churchyards in England were consecrated, but increasingly this protection is being taken away on council and privately owned cemeteries. Instead leases are sold on grave space for a limited amount of time, usually between 30 and 70 years.
Consecration does not make the soil more holy, but it does set our woodland aside as a special place for ever. You can be assured that this woodland burial site will always remain as a natural woodland setting. It cannot be sold for another purpose and it will not fall into disrepair. Since the ground is consecrated by the Church of England, people who are buried here can lie in this land for ever, until nature runs its natural course.
Consecrated woodland burial ensures that our loved ones really do 'Rest in Peace.'
(Click to see consecration service)
Notices
Our next Open Day will take place on Saturday 27th June 2009 from 2pm, we look forward to meeting you there !
Click here for winter photos!
See the site on You Tube
Woodland Burial by Pam Ayres
Don't lay me in some gloomy churchyard shaded by a wall
Where the dust of ancient bones has spread a dryness over all,
Lay me in some leafy loam where, sheltered from the cold
Little seeds investigate and tender leaves unfold.
There kindly and affectionately, plant a native tree
To grow resplendent before God and hold some part of me.
The roots will not disturb me as they wend their peaceful way
To build the fine and bountiful, from closure and decay.
To seek their small requirements so that when their work is done
I’ll be tall and standing strongly in the beauty of the sun.
Looking for a reception after a funeral at the Woodland Burial Trust?
We are pleased to recommend The College Equestrian Centre who will be pleased to provide for receptions after funerals. Located adjacent to the woodland Burial Ground, with ample parking space, it is the ideal location and can provide a wide range of refreshments with a licensed bar. Their charges start from around £5 per head and they are willing to cater for your needs with a licensed bar and excellent facilities. You can visit at any time and even watch the horses and riders. Click here for a sample menu.
For further information please contact
Patsy Bates
- The College Equestrian Centre,
- Church Road,
- Keysoe,
- Bedford.
- MK44 2JP
- Tel: 01234 708400/1 Fax 01234 708973
- Email: info@keysoe.com
- www.keysoe.com